Text Bulletin 1200 hrs

Pakistan has called for firm measures to protect civilians in conflict zones.

In Occupied Kashmir, complete shutdown is being observed on Sunday against the killing of twelve civilians by Indian troops.

In Israel, thousands of people have held rally in Tel Aviv in support of a Palestinian state.

********

PAK-UN:

Pakistan has called for firm measures to end attacks on medical facilities and staff engaged in saving lives in conflict zones around the world.

This was stated by Pakistan's Ambassador to UN Maleeha Lodhi during a debate at Security Council in New York.

She said all parties to armed conflict must unequivocally reaffirm that health care must be protected and the perpetrators of such attacks held accountable.

The ambassador said parties to armed conflict must ensure the safe, unimpeded and sustained passage of humanitarian access. She said the protection of civilians should be prioritized in UN peacekeeping operations.

RAILWAYS

The government has allocated over forty-two billion rupees in the new budget to reinvigorate the country's railways network.

Under the annual development plan 2017-18, over twenty billion rupees have been apportioned for procurement and manufacturing of new locomotives, high capacity bogie freight wagons and passenger coaches.

A memorandum of understanding has also been signed with China for up gradation of Peshawar to Karachi railway, the ML-1 which is infrastructural backbone of the country.

Over four billion rupees have been allocated for preliminary design for rehabilitation of ML-1 line and establishment of dry port near Havelian.

IT:

Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications is formulating Digital Pakistan Policy 2016-17 to rapidly transform IT sectors of economy.

According to an official document, the ministry will submit the policy document to Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for approval.

The basic objective of the policy is to take into account the increasingly transformed role of Information Technology (IT) across all sectors of socio-economic development, accelerated digitization and a holistic knowledge based economy.

The policy will serve as foundation of a holistic Digital Eco-system with advanced concepts and components for rapid delivery of next generation digital services, applications and content.

Talking to media outside the Judicial Academy in Islamabad on Sunday, he said appearance of Hussain Nawaz before Joint Investigation Team has substantiated our stance that we respect institutions.

Earlier, talking to media, Hussain Nawaz said he received the notice on Saturday and will present his stance before the JIT along with his counsel.

MURAD

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed to complete all development schemes in Karachi by end of next month.

He issued these directions during his visit to various areas of the city.

The Chief Minister said that delay in development schemes will not be tolerated.

Earlier, the chief minister reviewed the development work at National Highway, Tariq Road and University Road.

KASHMIR

In Occupied Kashmir, complete shutdown is being observed across the Valley on Sunday, against the martyrdom of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Sabzar Ahmed Butt and eleven other youth by Indian troops.

All shops and other business establishments are closed while traffic is off the road.

Meanwhile, curfew and other restrictions have been imposed in Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Islamabad, Gandarbal and other districts of the territory.

Occupation authorities have placed almost all Hurriyet leaders under house arrest.

ISRAEL:

In Israel, thousands of people have held rally in Tel Aviv in support of a Palestinian state.

Israeli opposition Labour party leader Isaac Herzog also attended the rally and supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A message of support from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was also read out at the rally.

PHILIPPINES:

In Philippines, nineteen civilians have been killed in street-to-street fighting between government forces and militants in Marawi city.

The violence began when dozens of gunmen went on rampage in the city, after government forces attempted to arrest a local militant leader.

Most of the residents of Marawi have fled their homes because of the fighting.